For Alberta Beef Producers, communicating beyond the farm gate to our beef consumer has always been top of mind. This is important when it comes to creating and maintaining demand for our beef of course, but also fostering understanding. An understanding of our industry, the world-class beef that we sustainably raise, and the producers that…
What is cold stress? All mammals need to maintain their internal body temperatures, averaging 38°C in cattle. However, they don’t need to use extra energy to maintain normal body temperatures when the environmental conditions are within a “thermoneutral zone.” The thermoneutral zone is defined as the range of ambient temperatures without regulatory changes in metabolic…
As we hunker down for colder weather and the winter months ahead, I am preparing for a shift in demand at the meat counter. Typically, I see a lower volume of walk-in consumers as compared to the summer months, but they are buying in larger quantities, more freezer packs, less beef aimed for the BBQ,…
Canadian Beef Industry Award winner, Dr. Surya Acharya, sets his sights on sustainable innovations to help tackle beef industry challenges Every year the Beef Cattle Research Council recognizes a researcher or scientist whose work has contributed to advancements in the competitiveness and sustainability of the Canadian beef industry. This year, the BCRC awarded ABP nominee…
Auction markets are where buyers and sellers meet in the cattle business. They remain relevant and busy, and this year, are on the frontlines of drought’s impact on producers. Fears exist about another widescale reduction in the Alberta cow herd because of the hardships caused by the lack of rain. While it hasn’t fully materialized…
When you pull up the driveway to Bob Hahn’s farm, Hahn Cattle Co., you might think it’s a typical angus operation. However, tucked away in an unassuming Quonset is a custom-built storefront with display freezers and a dry-ager that prepares high-end quality cuts of beef for local consumers. Accountant by day, Angus producer by night,…
Consumers really do eat up the idea of cattle consuming food waste. So much so, that a recent survey showed that consumers across the country seemed to warm up to the idea of beef production practices in Canada when they were related to a challenge they undertake in their homes everyday. The survey, conducted by…
This is part two of a three-part series. You can find part one in the September issue of ABP, and on ABP Daily. With the drastic cuts made to the 2021 budget, Alberta Beef Producers (ABP) is no longer able to support external organizations at levels we have in the past. Funding to three organizations…
At the heart of every beef operation is her people. Those passionate and committed persons who strive to produce the best possible food. Behind the hard-working cow calf, yearling, backgrounding and cattle-feeding operators, are families and teams of employees, scientists, farmers, veterinarians and a multitude of service providers. Like most things in life, they are in integrated…
Keeping track of livestock records doesn’t need to be complicated. A simple school binder is all Sue Giles uses to keep track of health records for their southern Alberta ranch and ensure it meets EU and VBP+ certification. For three years, Giles has kept track of the health information for their almost 1,000-head Black Angus…
Canada’s beef industry has an impressive and unique story to tell for its leadership in sustainability. The recent United Nations Food Systems Summit (UNFSS) provided an excellent global platform to amplify the beef cattle sector’s positive contributions towards the environment and healthy, sustainable diets. The UNFSS was a historic event aimed at driving solutions-orientated discussions…
Editor’s Note: This article was written in October, and first published in the November 2021 edition of ABP Magazine. As we move into the fall, we begin to refocus on a pivotal time for producers and what is happening in the fields, the feed yards, the auction marts, and at the exhibitions. As events begin…